There will be subtle optimism among Saints fans and plenty of caution among the Essendon faithful after both clubs’ final pre-season game.
The Saints ran out 67-32 winners at RSEA Park on Friday night, despite going goalless in the first quarter.
Plenty stood out for the Saints, who also recorded a convincing win in the tackle count in their first game under Ross Lyon. But it was a different tale for Essendon, who struggled to get the ball inside 50 and failed to convert when they did.
Lyon and Brad Scott have two weeks to get all systems firing ahead of Round 1, but if Friday’s performance is anything to go by, there’s plenty of work to do at Tullamarine.
Here’s what you need to know.
A new midfield mix at Essendon
Will Setterfield headlines the new faces set to boost Essendon’s on-ball unit in 2023. The former Blue backed up a strong showing last week with another dominant performance in the midfield.
Setterfield was arguably the Bombers’ best midfielder on Friday night, finishing with 25 disposals. Zach Merrett was his usual busy self with 23 touches, while Archie Perkins (17 possessions) also rotated through in a sign of what could be to come in 2023.
Despite quiet games from Dylan Shiel and Darcy Parish, Brad Scott will no doubt be buoyed to have won the clearance battle, despite Rowan Marshall being particularly proficient for the Saints.
Injury concerns for Saints and Dons
Both St Kilda and Essendon copped injury blows with Marcus Windhager and Jye Caldwell failing to play out the clash.
Windhager didn’t reappear after quarter time with a wrist injury. The Age's Marc McGowan is reporting he's suffered a broken hand and will be sent for surgery tomorrow night.
Marcus Windhager has suffered a break in his right hand and will undergo surgery tomorrow @theagesport
— Marc McGowan 🗣✍️👨🏻💻📰 (@ByMarcMcGowan) March 3, 2023
The 19-year-old started in the centre bounce for the Saints but didn’t register a touch before appearing on the bench with ice on his wrist.
Meanwhile, Caldwell came from the field in the third term with an ankle injury, but Essendon is confident no serious damage has been done.
An injury scare for Jye Caldwell, but the Bombers are confident no serious damage has been done.
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) March 3, 2023
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Caldwell finished with eight touches from 60 per cent time on ground. Besides that, both sides will be pleased to get through unscathed in the final competitive hitout ahead of Round 1 in a fortnight.
A shock Round 1 debut for Alwyn Davey jnr?
It was highly unlikely just a fortnight ago that Alwyn Davey jnr would play Round 1 against Hawthorn. An impressive performance against Gold Coast had him in the frame, but now it will take plenty for Brad Scott to leave the livewire out of his best 22.
Davey jnr booted the first goal of the game and was brilliant throughout, particularly in the first half. His ball use continues to stand out and the 19-year-old had an impressive level of pressure about him for his first season at the top level.
Jye Menzie finished goalless from nine touches but laid an impressive six tackles. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti also failed to hit the scoreboard from six disposals. It remains to be seen how Scott will line up with his small forwards, but Davey jnr’s name appears at the top of the list after Friday’s effort.
St Kilda can still score without a tall forward
It’s been the big question for the Saints across the pre-season. With Max King set to spend the best part of the first two months of the 2023 season on the sidelines and Tim Membrey touch and go for Round 1, who will kick the goals?
Ross Lyon’s troops went some way to answering that question against the Dons. Mitch Owens was the clear standout and surprise packet in that regard, booting three goals from 16 touches with exquisite ball use to match.
Despite featuring primarily as a small forward in his debut season, Owens is 190cms and stood up in the air with several important contests and also took three marks.
Jack Higgins also kicked three goals and used the ball beautifully. As for the others, Mattaes Phillipou proved he could be a reliable source to goal this season, Mason Wood played like a man possessed and Rowan Marshall knows where the big sticks are.
There’s no doubt St Kilda will miss King especially, but it’s far from season over without him.